Jan 2001Newsletter
IMPORTANCE OF GREEN SPACES
The Malaysian Nature Society would like
to express concerns on the decision to allow development at Bukit Kledang.
Ipoh has lost many of its limestone hills to mining and quarrying and the
remaining hills such as Bukit Kledang should be preserved as part of the
natural heritage of Ipoh and of Malaysia.
Developing the hill into a residential
area, is not to the public’s interest, as only a select few will be able
to benefit. Local Ipohites who enjoy this hill for its scenic beauty as
well as a jogging and walking track will find its beauty badly scarred
and degraded.
The Perak State Government should realize
that most developments do not bode well for hills. Besides the loss of
the hill’s aesthetic beauty, the State government should think of the problems
associated with hill development. They are fragile ecosystems with many
endemic species and are damaged easily.
Erosion caused by the disturbance of
soil may end up causing mudslides during the rainy seasons, affecting downstream
areas. Erosion also causes the siltation of streams, which leads to polluted
water. The article in the Star 10/10/2000 mentioned that several incidents
of erosion had already taken place since January
Before approving such developments,
an EIA including mitigation measures should be conducted on Bukit Kledang
as it is a sensitive area. Mitigation measures should ensure that environmental
degradation and pollution is neg-ligible. The EIA should also be made public
to inform residents of the development plans, and the local residents should
be consulted accord-ingly. As Bukit Kledang is a popular spot among the
local communities, the developer should also ensure that facilities are
provided to benefit the local residents and Ipohites in general. It has
also been reported that no signboards were placed at the site even though
land clearing had already taken place. It is only after many public outcries
that one was erected. By law, signboards are required to be placed at construction
sites. This lack of transparency has cast aspersions to the motives of
the project.
MNS is concerned that in the mad rush
for development, places meant for simple public enjoyment and recreation
have simply been bulldozed into highways and resort development. This situation
is quite ironic; a modern nation needs more areas and spaces for simple
recreational activities as a means of relaxation.
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Created on 1 Jan 2001